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Welcome to the boards buddy! It can certainly be a daunting task to undertake one of these helmet paint ups, and bear in mind you can do it whatever way you prefer. The method I am doing on this helmet is whats called a layered method, which is exactly like you describe, working from the base colour up, but there are some gun painters on this board who prefer the 'topical' method, which is indeed putting down the main colours, then adding the damage over the top. both have advantages and disadvantages - for instance, many believe you can get finer detail with topical methods, whereas layered methods seem up close to appear more authentic. personally, I feel there are so many awesome examples of either method, and when done well, it really is hard to notice the difference, so you have to go with what you are more comfortable with. Any questions, feel free to ask, and good luck! Peace

Welcome to the boards buddy! It can certainly be a daunting task to undertake one of these helmet paint ups, and bear in mind you can do it whatever way you prefer. The method I am doing on this helmet is whats called a layered method, which is exactly like you describe, working from the base colour up, but there are some gun painters on this board who prefer the 'topical' method, which is indeed putting down the main colours, then adding the damage over the top. both have advantages and disadvantages - for instance, many believe you can get finer detail with topical methods, whereas layered methods seem up close to appear more authentic. personally, I feel there are so many awesome examples of either method, and when done well, it really is hard to notice the difference, so you have to go with what you are more comfortable with. Any questions, feel free to ask, and good luck! Peace

Well since I got that, my last question, (<--- lie) do you coat it with a finish or, hm, what's the term, like a coat of clear enamel or something that evens everything out?

Welcome to the boards buddy! It can certainly be a daunting task to undertake one of these helmet paint ups, and bear in mind you can do it whatever way you prefer. The method I am doing on this helmet is whats called a layered method, which is exactly like you describe, working from the base colour up, but there are some gun painters on this board who prefer the 'topical' method, which is indeed putting down the main colours, then adding the damage over the top. both have advantages and disadvantages - for instance, many believe you can get finer detail with topical methods, whereas layered methods seem up close to appear more authentic. personally, I feel there are so many awesome examples of either method, and when done well, it really is hard to notice the difference, so you have to go with what you are more comfortable with. Any questions, feel free to ask, and good luck! Peace

Well since I got that, my last question, (<--- lie) do you coat it with a finish or, hm, what's the term, like a coat of clear enamel or something that evens everything out?

haha, darn double posts! Yea, you can definately put a clear coat on after completion, but again, that can come down to preference, what type of paint used etc. On my first helmet paint up, I used Testors Dullcote - very nice for blending it all together, but it also will dull metallics such as your silver. The finish generally comes down to the weathering, and if I feel the need to spray it clear at the end, I may take Terminal Fettlers example, and go with a very light satin finish - not to shiny, not too flat. I'm gonna see tho how it goes once completed - this will be more a display for me, and I wont be trooping in it, so it may not need the extra sealing. But by all means, it can definately be a good idea, more just dependant on what you are going to use the helmet for. Peace

G’day Fett-aholics! Another update on this thread, this time the dome and cheeks. Now, first up, I know I’ve been taking my sweet ***** time, and I know only one cheek is done (just due to a minor paint issue), but bear with me, I’m another year older..

DOME & CHEEKS
Really enjoying the dome and cheeks, as you can actually see light at the end of the tunnel. Worked quite hard at recreating the dent down to the fine details like scorch marks etc, and happy with how it came out, as well as the killstripes. Airbrushing these lids really gives a great finish, and in person, it is as clean as a whistle. One thing to keep in mind, is that I am recreating the ESB paint up as it appears in the movie. I mention this, as there are quite a few less scratches and damage spots compared to the lid in its current day form with the extra dings from mishandling etc... Also, the lighting on these pics isn’t perfect, and with shade and so forth, the green seems almost a different shade in every pic – The Humbrol green 78 in person though, is a perfect colour in my opinion. The last thing I will do after all the paintwork is completed, is more weathering with some sand colour around the trim, and some dirt marks etc...

Just a few more pics to highlight some details. I’ve shown the dent from a couple of angles so you can actually see the light grey accents, or scorch marks depending on the angle and how much light is shining off. Again, a bit more weathering to do, and rubbing out of some pencil marks etc, but almost ready to move on to the next section. Might be a while, but i'll get there . Any feedback or questions most welcome peeps! Peace

Thanks fellas,appreciate the kind words once again. Yea Raf, the dent was down to two things - really studying the reference pics to get little details and areas spot on; and of course your awesome stencils which are simply a godsend. In any case, really appreciate the feedback, and glad you think i've done your brilliant stencils some form of justice so far Raf! Peace

Definately Deadland, it certainly helps to see some light at the end of the tunnel. Of course, the mandibles are still a very big part, and will be super time consuming, but one thing I have learnt well after a couple helmet paint ups, is that even if it takes longer, the more pedantic you are, the better the end result. Thanks again! :-)

Morning Kiddies! Smallish update here, but have completed the other lower cheek, and both upper cheeks, ready to tackle the mandibles..

UPPER CHEEKS (and finishing of other Lower Cheek)
This was a nice little section to do, and went fairly smoothly. The biggest thing for me from an accuracy point of view, was the damage on the lower cheek (on the non-rangefinder side). I have put a close up pic of this cheek in picture 3. There is actually a differrent colour of damage that interacts with the normal grey damage on the far side. Many people leave out this minor detail, but it definately is present in inspection of the reference pictures. My main question was what colour to go for. I know Terminal Fettler always adds in this detail, and recommends in his brilliant tutorial, to go the same colour as the back panels, but to my eyes, the colour should be darker than the grey. Now, don't take this as gospel, as I have ageing eyes, but i went for the back panel blue/green like Garrett reccommends, but added in drops of black until I was content, creating an almost deep olive colour. In the end, it came out just as I wanted, or at least close enough to tell from my eyes. There was also some grey misting at the bottom of each lower cheek (heavier on the non rangefinder ear side as per the ref pics). Lastly, the upper cheeks were pretty straightforward, but there is also a fair bit less damage wise in my ESB movie version in comparison to the more recent AOSW version. Enjoy gang, as always, feedback or questions most welcome. Peace

You have an amazing eye (well two) for details! Just one thing you forget to add to the right lower cheek --> a dirt-like stain that is present on the dome too, above the rangefinder ear:

Another missed detail is the small crack between the upper and lower right cheek:

I did the ESB Hero helmet stencils using lots of stills and screencaps from the Gallery and my own and helped a lot to compare those with the exibit images (mostly the Britt Dietz high rezolution/quality images).

Ahh, never fear Raf, I'm on top of those little details. The stain above the rangefinder ear will be done after the bulk of the paintwork has been completed. That also goes for the two white paint splotches on the killstripes and trim, as well as some brown dirt around the trim and arrows, as well as paint splatters. The borden will be wethered and brassed up, and will have some wearing around the borden also.The small stain on the right cheek you mention, I actually have put in - it is with the same grey I used for the bottom of the cheeks, but at the angle I took the pic at, its not as visible as it is in person. I will still darken it a fraction with another shade of grey, but most of this weathering I mention will be done at the end for better continuity through out. As for the little scratch, great call - a pretty easy addittion. Really appreciate your feedback, and teriffic pics. Along with your god-like templates, you are truly a legend of these boards. Thanks again my friend, Peace

Thanks for the compliments, you are too kind!
I'm glad you have already thought to add all the 'extra' details which will make your paintjob a masterpiece along James' (BGHunter) excellent helmet. I will resume my state as an observer and will eagerly await your 'hot' updates.

Ahh, you are far too kind Raf, but many thanks my friend. One thing I must say, is that as much as I am painting up this helmet, and will do my best to continue the highest standard I possibly can, these helmets, once finished, will have a little bit of many peoples hard work go into them. Wether it be to James' beautiful cast, your second-to-none templates, garretts huge paint list and inspiration, and general members support and feedback, it really makes you feel great to be part of such a fantastic community..

Well hello my fine, Fett loving friends! A decent update here, this lid is starting to see light at the end of the tunnel! Mandibles and some major weathering are order of the day on this update , so away we go! Hope you enjoy peeps!

Mandibles and phase (1) of weathering
Ahh, the mandibles. Finishes the main paint off and brings everything together beautifully, but how I loathe the masking and stencilling of thee... now, do keep in mind these are about 95% done, but there is still a little bit to go on them. Some fine detail work and a few silver and light grey accents still remain but you get the general idea. Very happy with how these came out, they are very authentic by my calculations to the original helmet.

As for the weathering, I have completed, what I call - phase 1. This includes  light brown around arrows and trim, heavier grey smudge on left cheek (left as in looking at the helmet), heavy smudge above rangefinder, and of course the wonderful splatters. These are heavier on the rangefinder side, but there is a bit on the other ear, particularly more on one side of this ear. I added a pic of this to show. I achieved the splatter effect using thicker paint in my airbrush, having the needle tip exposed so the paint creates a droplet then splatters, and got different splatters by adjusting my air pressure and pulsing the trigger. Phase 2 of weathering will see me weather up the borden connector, add the two white paint splotches on the killstripes and trim, putting on the rub on letter decals and some fine detail work throughout. Then it will be on to the interior, rangefinder and visor. Not too long to go, shes a getting there! As always, all feedback welcome my friends, Peace